Friday chickenIn which I cover the good stuff and the hard stuff in my week, trying for the non-preachy, non-annoying side of ritual and self-reflection.

And you get to join in if you feel like it.

This week was all about Going Dark, which is what I call it when I must run awaaaaay!

Part chrysalis, part Emergency Vacation. But mainly, run awaaaaay!

This is how I wanted to prep for Rally (Rally!), which is — ohmygod the twentieth Rally!?!?! Wow. And yay! — starting on Monday.

And it was also a chance to let the new Pirate Crew run Stompopolis without any help from me. Scary. And awesome.

So basically the hard and the good this week was all the same.

For example, watching Grimm put this song in my head. If that isn’t the most horrible and wonderful thing ever, I don’t know what to say. Mein Schatz, es ist vorbei.

See what I mean? It was all the same.

The hard stuff

  • Being gone (and preparing for being gone).
  • Traveling.
  • Not being in charge.
  • Trusting that things will run without me.
  • Busy mind. Lots to think about.
  • Not having access to computer or internet.
  • Transitions! So much hard!
  • Decision-making! So much hard!
  • Recovery.
  • Not doing.
  • Processing.
  • Getting ready for the returning.

Bonus hard stuff?

[Silent Retreat!]

The good stuff

  • Being gone.
  • Traveling.
  • Not being in charge.
  • Trusting that things will run without me.
  • Lots to think about.
  • No access to computer or internet!
  • Transitions! Transformations!
  • Decision-making! I can do it!
  • Recovery.
  • Not doing.
  • Processing.
  • Getting ready for the returning.

Bonus good stuff…

Lunch with the amazing Maryann Devine, whom you may already know from the wonders of Secret Play Date. And getting to give her a tour of the new space.

Also: Sunday Parkways! Where I saw:

2 women jitterbugging, 115 adorably-helmeted-adorable-tiny-children, 16 outrageous bicycle-like contraptions, 29 timbers jerseys and one slightly-drunky falling off his bike.

Add to that a couple of opt-in lovely water-soakings via supersoaker, and a grown man wearing only a diaper, and I have to say: it was pretty great.

And this absolutely beautiful post from Hiro on success. I love this so much.

Playing live at the meme beach house — it’s the Fake Band of the Week!

Background? Ez and I make up bands. Stu (retired Bolshevik-fearing voice-to-text software) once translated โ€œpeople will hate me and be jealousโ€ to “they’ll hang out at my Meme Beach House“. It’s just one guy.

This week’s band isโ€ฆ more fun than they sound, I guess.

Rocking harder than you’d expect, that’s their thing.

Dutiful Grumpanion

It turns out though that the whole band is really just one guy. Weird, right?

Hallo Hallo! I am saying Hallo Hallo. Announcement time.

Picture me wearing that crazy hat

Come. To. A. Rally!

There are only two happening next year, so this is the time.

There’s a stowawayship scholarship ship available for June.

That’s it for me โ€ฆ

Join my Friday ritual in the comments if you feel like it. Or call silent retreat!

We let people have their own experience. Weโ€™re supportive and welcoming. And we donโ€™t give advice (unless people specifically ask for it).

Wishing you a glorrrrrrrrrrrrious day, a restful weekend and a happy week to come.

Shabbat shalom.

p.s. It’s fine if it’s not Friday anymore. There’s complete chicken amnesty — join in whenever (or not) and it’s no big deal.

The Fluent Self